I understand what you mean. Connection means opening up a vulnerable self. But a lot of us have been hurt and thus close the door to the possibilities of connection. If only we can always have hope in our hearts and forget the past, only can connection be possible. I wish we can always forget about regrets, hurts of the past and look forward to a happy future instead.
Maybe, it's not about forgetting, but more about the learning we achieve from all our experiences. Every encounter, every smile, every frown, all of our experiences make us who we are.
Some connections we make may be for life, while others may last the length of a bus ride. It is what we take from these moments and how willing we are to allow them to happen that is important.
True connection does involve a level of vulnerability, and each time you learn who YOU BE. Bringing YOU into the world more fully each and every day strengthens YOU - always.
I do understand that we have to learn from the past, but we have to let go of the bitter feeling and never take bad things and put it in our hearts.
It's a process. We are here to experience a spectrum of emotions, both good and bad. No one is perfect. Some events affect us more than others and take longer to process. It seems to me, you and I are connecting right now, and for that I'm grateful. I'm enjoying getting to know you. :)